Aviation News

Unleaded Fuel Debate Reaches Alaska

An effort to speed up the transition to unleaded avgas has emerged in a state where elected officials are on record as trying to delay it. In an op-ed published in the Anchorage Daily News, the Alaska Community Action on Toxics says a drop-in replacement for 100LL is available now (G100UL) and two others are […]

Read More »

Merlin To Automate C-130s Next

The U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) has awarded a $105 million contract to Merlin to build virtually autonomously operated C-130J Super Hercules transports. Although the description of the resulting aircraft is that they have “reduced aircrew capability,” one of the requirements for the contract is that they be able to fly takeoff to touchdown without […]

Read More »

Hail Damage Rattles A320 Passengers

The shattered radome and cracked windscreens of an Austrian Airlines A320 got viral coverage Sunday after the plane encountered hail from a cell on approach to Vienna-Scwechat Airport. The flight was on its way from Palma de Mallorca, Spain, when it hit the weather, which the airline said didn’t show up on the crew’s weather […]

Read More »

Controller Warned Floatplane Pilot Of Boat Before Collision

An air traffic controller warned the pilot of a Harbour Air DHC2 Beaver floatplane of a potential conflict with a boat as the pilot got ready to take off for a sightseeing trip around Vancouver harbor last Saturday afternoon. The aircraft and boat collided a short time later, injuring three on the boat and heavily […]

Read More »

WestJet ‘UltraBasic’ Fare Panned Online

WestJet has introduced a bottom-tiered economy fare it calls UltraBasic that, among other things, denies participants a carry-on bag. The new fare class, which has unleashed a storm of online backlash, is an attempt to kill two birds with one stone. “UltraBasic has been designed to both expedite the boarding process and provide our most […]

Read More »

Virgin Galactic Retires Unity, Plans Bigger Replacement

Virgin Galactic’s VSS Unity space tourism vehicle has been retired after its seventh flight on Saturday, and it will be at least two years before replacement craft are ready. Unity took a pilot and four passengers to an altitude of 54.4 miles, just shy of the Kármán line (62 miles) commonly considered to the be […]

Read More »

Apollo 8 Astronaut William Anders Dies In Washington Plane Crash

Retired Maj. Gen. William Anders, former Apollo 8 astronaut, was killed Friday when the plane he was piloting crashed near the San Juan Islands in Washington. His son, Retired Air Force Lt. Col. Greg Anders, confirmed the death to The Associated Press writing, “The family is devastated. He was a great pilot and we will […]

Read More »

YouTuber Faces Federal Charges For Alleged Helicopter Stunt

YouTube personality Suk Min Choi, also known as Alex Choi, is facing federal charges after a video he allegedly directed surfaced, depicting fireworks being launched from a helicopter at a Lamborghini in a Southern California desert. Authorities say 24-year-old Choi is being charged with causing the placement of an explosive or incendiary device on an […]

Read More »

Piper M700 Fury Receives FIKI Certification

Piper Aircraft announced its new flagship aircraft, the M700 Fury, has received Flight into Known Icing (FIKI) certification from the Federal Aviation Administration. The M700 Fury, which was certified in March of this year, boasts impressive capabilities—including a max cruise speed of 301 knots, a max range of 1852 NM and a standard useful load […]

Read More »
Sign-up for newsletters & special offers!

Get the latest stories & special offers delivered directly to your inbox

SUBSCRIBE